A Tribute to LAAS Animal Control Officers – ‘Unsung Heroes’ Then and Now Details
ANIMAL WATCH-National Animal Control Officer Appreciation week was recognized and celebrated nationally from April 11–17, 2021, but was unnoticed or ignored at City of Los Angeles Animal Services by then-General Manager Brenda Barnette, until the afternoon of Thursday, April 15.
That was when a succinct post appeared on the LAAS Facebook page with NO hashtags or correlating media release to spread the message:
“It’s National Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week, and we want to say, Thank You to our amazing field staff, which includes Animal Control Officers and SMART team. We appreciate all the hard work you do to care for and assist our LA Community. Keep up the Fantastic Work.”
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ANIMAL WATCH-The stern face of a Pit Bull adorns the Best Friends’ Animal Society’s Facebook announcement, “Together, We Made LA a No-Kill City,” but there is no mention of Los Angeles Animal Services nor General Manager Brenda Barnette as part of this accomplishment.
Was this an oversight?
Barnette is retiring as General Manager of LAAS after a decade of brutal attacks by Pit Bulls and other dogs with known-aggressive behavior on innocent and unsuspecting victims adopters, visitors, and employees at Los Angeles City animal shelters. These are dogs Barnette has made available for adoption, often with knowledge of their backgrounds and with written comments/warnings by shelter staff.
ANIMAL WATCH-Major, the shelter dog fostered by President Joe Biden as a puppy and then adopted from the Delaware Humane Society, has bitten twice since being moved into the White House, with the first bite on March 8 and CNN reporting a second bite last Monday.
The first time, Major reportedly “nipped” a U.S. Secret Service agent’s hand. It was called a very minor injury in which the “skin was not broken.” However, it was of sufficient concern to be treated by the White House Medical Staff, according to CNN.
After that incident, Major along with his 13-year-old companion, Champ was quickly returned to the Biden home in Delaware, where he reportedly received training. President Biden pardoned Major, stating he is a “sweet dog.”
Animal Services GM Barnette Boasts LA Reached Best Friends ‘No Kill’ Goal, as Families Mourn COVID Deaths Details
ANIMAL WATCH-On March 12, LA Animal Services GM Brenda Barnette callously and boastfully announced that Los Angeles has reached the Best Friends Animal Society “No Kill” goal for the city’s animal shelters due to efforts of “the city, LA Animal Services, a coalition of animal welfare organizations, compassionate leaders and a dedicated community.”
At this same time, terrified humans all over Los Angeles clamor for vaccinations to save their own and loved ones’ lives from the deadliest disease outbreak in over a century, and many are paralyzed by the helplessness suffered from the sudden loss of one or more loved ones.